BROCKTON ELECTION: Ward 2 councilor

Responses to an Enterprise questionnaire completed by candidates for Brockton City Council in the Nov. 7 election. They have been edited for length.

Marc Larocque Enterprise Staff Writer @Enterprise_Marc

THE CANDIDATES

Thomas D. Monahan

Address: 174 Manomet St.

Age: 61

Marital status/family: Married with five children

Previous political offices held: Four terms on City Council

Education: Brockton High School Class of 1974, Massasoit Community College and Bridgewater State

Campaign website: tommonahanward2.com

Angel M. Cosme Jr.

Address: 18 A Chester Ave.

Age: 41

Marital status/family: In relationship, father of 15-year-old son

Education: M. Ed, BA in psychology and minors in Latino studies and anthropology

Campaign website: angelcosme.org

THE ISSUES

Would you vote to support Mayor Bill Carpenter’s proposed purchase of the Aquaria water desalination plant for $78 million? If not, how low would the price have to go before you support the purchase?
MONAHAN: Without a thorough review and discussion of the costs associated with the purchase and operation of the desalinization plant, it would be irresponsible to make the decision to move forward or not. I have, preliminarily, reviewed numbers put together by a working group through the MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce and I have filed a resolve to bring them in before the City Council to review their findings. We as a City Council have already heard from representatives of the MWRA, and the cost for connecting to their system is exorbitant. For the city to be economically competitive we must attract, and keep, major businesses and large-volume water users. Once we have determined a fair dollar value for the desal plant, then I can decide whether to vote for the purchase or not.
COSME: I am against the purchase of the $78 million proposal to purchase the Aquaria plant and I have been active in my opposition towards it for years. I would be in favor of putting this issue on a ballot. Doing so would allow the residents an opportunity to weigh in on an issue of such a large financial magnitude.
What is your opinion on the city’s use of 40R Smart Growth zoning? Should city leaders allow an expansion of 40R housing in Brockton or not?
COSME: The city’s use of the 40R Smart Growth zoning, in my opinion, is a win-win. Creating affordable homes in Brockton where over one in four individuals are classified as meeting the criteria to be deemed “poor” seems like a noble thing to do. New construction of such units will offset the preponderance of abandoned and distressed properties that are littered throughout the city potentially attracting more businesses thus expanding our tax base.
MONAHAN: Developers want to know what they can and cannot do in a particular zone. With the 40R smart growth district, it is clearly spelled out. The allowance for some flexibility in terms of parking requirements, especially housing development so close to the MBTA and public transportation. Public transportation can help move Brockton into becoming a 21st century city. We can no longer afford to think of ourselves as the city that we were in the 1960s. The city has changed and so have our opportunities. We need to develop our urban areas using the tools like 40R to attract development.
What should the city be doing more to improve public safety?
MONAHAN: Walking beats, (which I was instrumental in bringing back in my first term) and bicycle beats need to be expanded. If a police officer is seen walking the streets, residents, visitors and businesses will know that the streets are safe for them too. Community policing and engagement with residents so that the police department can start building trust and relationships in neighborhoods also needs to be brought back.
COSME: I am a parent and like many residents of Brockton, I want to feel safe. I am, however, not in agreement that the way to create public safety is to create a hyper-vigilant police state that proposes that the hiring of more police officers equates to greater public safety. With that said, I propose to support community policing, quality youth programs and mentoring, a robust educational system that is adequately funded, supporting and advocating for criminal justice reforms that are currently underway at the Statehouse.
Where do you stand on code enforcement, and whatever else Brockton needs to do to make the city a nicer looking place to live?
COSME: we should have stricter code-enforcement for landlords and homeowners who do not upkeep their properties. Deteriorating properties may lend to decreased property values, affecting public education funding and potentially increasing crime and the cities’ image. Brockton has a large number of vacant properties that could be sold at a reduced price with agreed-upon terms that entrepreneurs and buyers utilize an agreed upon percentage of such units to projects that benefit the city.
MONAHAN: Code enforcement is of highest value. If we allow for dilapidated businesses and housing to remain as is, then it sends the wrong message to visitors and potential businesses. I have called for the reintroduction of the code enforcement team, consisting of members of all of the major departments of the city to clean up the city. This has been very successful in the past, and we need to send out the word that the city will not put up with shabby, dilapidated homes and businesses.
Do you believe that there is any waste going on in city government? If so, what would you do about it?
MONAHAN: The City Council has an Accounts Committee that has the ability to review budgets and accounts. We are currently working in the Ordinance Committee, (of which I am a committee member) on an ordinance introduced by Councilor (Winthrop) Farwell that would allow residents to access public records pertaining to spending.
COSME: Yes. one example is the utilization of our police overtime. I recall helping to provide an opportunity for police officers in the city to be trained by the only nonprofit organization in the country dedicated to promoting harmonious police and youth relationships. This did not materialize because having police officers attend the training would have meant utilizing overtime funds. I would need to explore such factors such as the unnecessary spending of supplies and equipment, failures to reuse or recycle major resources, not investing in alternative and green energies, any and all practices of favoring contracts to certain vendors, using city positions for personal gain or to produce favors for others, unnecessary travel costs and overpaid, ineffective high ranking public employees.
When it comes to city hiring, do you believe nepotism, or favoritism for insiders, are still problems, and if so, what would you do to help prevent it?
COSME: Yes. oof course nepotism exists and must be stopped. There are many examples I have come across as a community organizer of highly qualified individuals being looked over for someone less qualified because of who they know. Within certain city offices, it is often a matter of who you know in terms of getting a job and this practice is morally wrong, unfair and unjust. The highly publicized discrimination cases and the resulting multi-million dollar lawsuits that have resulted and those that are pending are further testaments to the cronyism and nepotism and discriminatory practices that exist in Brockton.
MONAHAN: No, I do not believe nepotism and favoritism is prevalent. There is always room to improve. In the end, the person who gets the job must have the qualifications, period. Councilor Farwell and I introduced a new ordinance this year that dealt with hiring practices and added guidelines so that issues like these are avoided.
What separates you from your opponent/s and makes you the better choice for city councilor?
MONAHAN: The bottom line in this election is who is going to do the work for you. Who is going to be accessible 24/7. Who is going to answer the call when you need help and who has the record of leadership and results? My record over the past four terms is proof of the leadership, passion and compassion I lead with. Yes, I have a good sense of humor and enjoy life and people. But I’m dead serious when it comes to serving the constituents in my ward and my city, taking calls every day – and that includes Sundays – making calls; solving problems; putting together meetings with neighborhoods, as I did with the B.B. Russell School neighborhood when they had issues. I was a Park Commissioner from 1996 until I became a city councilor in 2010. My heart and soul is and has been this city. I’m not going anywhere. If you would like to have someone with my dedication and work ethic and love for this city as your Ward 2 city councilor, then I humbly ask for your vote to reelect me again on Nov. 7.
COSME: I say this in humility but frankness in that there are few candidates running who can match my level of educational, political, professional and community grassroots advocacy and experiences in totality. I possess a master’s degree in education and a BA in psychology, two certifications and three teaching licenses. Coupled with my diverse array of professional occupations such as clinical supervisor, mental health clinician, substance abuse counselor, licensed educator, professional community organizer/activist, researcher, board member to several nonprofits and fatherhood. I am for the homeless, elderly, immigrant, business-owner, the youth and everyone who encompasses Ward 2. I am disciplined, articulate and trustworthy. I work well with a diverse population and I have integrity in all I do.

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